Titian Shehu, government members and MPs in the district of Kolonjë for the first anniversary of the creation of the University of Tirana The opening of the water point in Leskovik is a necessity for Kolonjë's mobility. Titian Shehu, government members and MPs in the district of Kolonjë THE FEELING OF NATIONAL PRIDE MUST BE ABOVE THE INTERESTS OF SHORT-TERM GAIN -The opening of the water point in Leskovik is a necessity for Kolonjë's mobility- The quiet economic atmosphere of the town of Ersekë was this weekend enlivened considerably by the stream of vehicles passing through its center. Today, a day to which the locals had paid unusual attention, the high-level delegation of the Democratic Party and the government came to visit their town. This unusual movement, presented days earlier in the media with a special tone, was taking place within the framework of the ceremonies being held for the first anniversary of the formation of the Tirana Department. At midday the delegation, led by Foreign Minister Mr Alfred Serreqi, Deputy Prime Minister Mr Tritan Shehu, Minister of Agriculture Mr Selami Xhepa and other ministers as well as local MPs such as Mr Tonin Gjuraj, Mr Taulant Bino and Mr Eduard Selami, arrived in Ersekë. There they were welcomed by many residents and local officials. At the meeting held with intellectuals and representatives of various strata of the town and district, the speakers praised the changes made during these years and the need to maintain the pace of reform. There was discussion of the state of the economy, privatization and the inherited difficulties, and of the efforts of local government and the cabinet to improve the daily lives of residents. Foreign Minister Mr Alfred Serreqi, focusing on the issues of the border area, emphasized the importance of strengthening good-neighborly relations and the need to open the water point in Leskovik, as a long-standing request of the residents and as a necessity for Kolonjë's mobility. In their discussions, the participants also addressed issues of education, culture and the preservation of national identity, stressing that the feeling of national pride must be above the interests of short-term gain. The meeting continued with questions and answers, while the delegation also visited several institutions in the town. (continues on page 2)

yesterday Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aslan Sojova

-Press conference by ministers Serreqi - Dervishi The dramatic situation in the Balkans is once again moving to the top of the agenda because of Kosovo. British Defence Minister Malcolm Rifkind yesterday gave a positive assessment of stability and the reform course in Albania. As our correspondent in London reports, Albania's Foreign Minister Alfred Serreqi, during a joint press conference with his British counterpart Dervishi[?], stressed that Albania plays an important role in preserving peace in the region. The meeting discussed developments in Kosovo, bilateral relations, security issues and the prospects for broader cooperation between the two countries. Photo: A. Maho

On 26 March 1994, the watchtowers that had been built to provoke the free population of the south were destroyed at the border. This event was denounced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Albania, which sent a protest note to the Greek side. According to the text of the protest, such actions worsen good-neighborly relations and damage the spirit of understanding between the two peoples. The document emphasizes that the Albanian side demands respect for the state border and the avoidance of any action that could incite tensions. The protest notes that the Albanian authorities remain determined to preserve calm and stability, but at the same time they demand respect for the principles of international law and the sovereignty of the Republic of Albania. At the end of the note, readiness for dialogue and for resolving issues through diplomatic channels is reiterated.

Reply to the latest nonsense The essence of this evil, closely linked to part of the opposition, especially the newspaper "ZP" and its chairman, who poses as a journalist, is that it tries to present the activity of Albanian institutions as being tied to intrigues and dark strings. In its latest article, this newspaper has gone even more openly down the path of slander, trying to build a story that does not hold up. Instead of dealing with the real problems of citizens, "ZP" seeks to create empty sensations and smear the political opponent. This way of doing journalism serves neither the public nor the democratic climate. On the contrary, it aims to poison the debate and lower the level of public communication. In its article, the newspaper uses unacceptable insinuations, fabricated names and nonexistent links to secret services. The author of the piece seems to forget that the Albanian public is quite capable of understanding the difference between information and invention. If read carefully, the whole material falls into a series of contradictions, revealing not facts, but the desire to invent a story in dark colors. This is a failed attempt to build accusations without evidence and to tarnish public figures. Despite the noise it tries to create, this kind of journalism cannot replace argument, nor can it hide the lack of professional responsibility. EDI PALOKA

-It is confirmed where those who threatened the experts received their orders from- Although from the very beginning our newspaper has described the entire investigative procedure against Fatos Nano as such, it seemed that with the approach of the trial an attempt was being made to create a political alibi. However, recent developments have brought to light an even more serious aspect: the threats against the experts. According to the information made public, the people who exerted pressure and threats on the experts did not act on their own. The trail leads to those who had a direct interest in obstructing or distorting the process. Threats, in any civilized society, are a sign of weakness, not strength. They are used when argument is lacking and when the truth no longer serves as protection. For this reason, Nano's latest attempt to defend himself resembles that of a criminal who resorts to intimidation in order to save himself. The case is serious not only because of its object, but also because it seeks to strike at the very foundation of justice: the independence of the expert and of evidence. If this is accepted, any trial can turn into a farce. The public expects the truth to come out to the end and the responsible parties to receive the punishment they deserve. D.K. (continues on page 12)

AND THE WHOLE FORMING MUNÇNË — THE FACT OF THE MONEY MADE US IN ESHRE IN STONAK. SERVICE FOR THE DREKUR PART EVANIE 8 million